Allie

~~~

"WELCOME!" I breath a sigh of relief when the masters reply echoes over the crowd. Bard glares at us and I give him a soft look. He goes to storm away but I catch his sleeve.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper. "You're probably right about everything but I swear I will do everything in my power to not let that happen."

"You really are the angel aren't you?" Bard replies lowly. He's still angry.

"Not yet," I say barely above a whisper then let him storm off. My gaze follows him and I sigh. I'm just so consumed by hopelessness. The crowd cheers oblivious to the terror they've brought upon themselves while the dwarves preen.

"Welcome, and thrice welcome king under the mountain!" the master yells raising the cheers and whistles. "NOW LET US CELEBRATE!"

"Oh no," Sam mutters.

"Yay a party I need a drink!" I exclaim my mood changing drastically.

"What happens when she drinks?" Jacob inquires.

"Bad things," Emily replies before the celebrations starts assembling. Lakemen pull out instruments and the guards bring out wines and ales while others bring tables and chairs.

"Guys we most likely have one last night of pure undaltered joy before this quest continues as is. So let us enjoy it!" I cheer loudly and head on the dance area spreading my wings and letting them help me in a flow of nice movements.

"I'm with her!" Lacy agrees and follows me into the dance area. The others dwarves nod respectively head after me or grab some ale. I see Sam and Bilbo drag Jacob up to dance. Both Sam and Jacob take turns twirling Bilbo.

Lacy has let her hair down and is moving wildly.

Ori has forced Dwalin to dance with him while Dori is distracted by Nori.

Fili is happily dancing with Emily and they both look the happiest I've seen in this whole journey. The rest of the dwarves are riddled in the crowd joking and drinking but Thorin is off to the side sulking. I forgo dancing and my plans to get drunk and approach him.

"You should dance or drink or something instead of sulk," I suggest pointedly.

"I've no time for petty things," Thorin snipes crossing his arms. I admit to admit his intense stubbornness but it is so annoying.

"Petty things like this keep the company's morale up unlike you who tears it down," I retort. "Come on and dance with me."

"I don't dance I do battle," Thorin mumbles. "On the ground unlike you."

"No one is fighting anyone we're all dancing, on the ground!" I exclaim throwing my hands in the air in frustration. "Thorin come on, if you are too cowardly to admit you kind of love me, or even kiss me again you at least have to dance with me." Thorins face softens and he uncrossea his arms to grab my hand.

"I'm no coward so I will give you one dance," Thorin agrees and I beam. I'll soften this stone king yet.

"Thank you king flowers," I say remembering the time I crowned him flower king after leaving the Carrock.

"Oh yes I remember that. My nephew still thinks you're quite crazy," Thorin chuckles. I laugh with him and guide him into the center of the designated dancing area when a slow song starts playing. It wasn't a coincidence I signaled the band to play one.

"I think I'm crazy. I don't mind that either. Now as a king you should know how to slow dance," I remark. Thorin rolls his eyes and places a hand in my waist and another twined into my fingers. I put my other hand on his waist and giggle when we both try to lead.

"Allow me," Thorin orders softly. "As you say I am a king so I should lead."

"I'll allow it this one time." Thorin half smiles at my comment and takes the lead in our dance.

I lose sight of the worry the next part of this journey carries and my bottomless fear the Kili and Alex won't be okay. Though Alex seems to be becoming more responsive and Kili is a bit more lively. A sickly shade of white has come over the both of them despite these tiny improvements.

"Your friend and my nephew will surely be okay," Thorin assures seeing me staring at them.

"I have hope they will but the rest of this long journey, facing off a dragon, could kill anyone of my friends. I'm just worried is all," I admit shrugging.

"Don't be, as you said this is one night if undaltered joy before the rest of our journey. Enjoy it Allie," Thorin advises and my heart flutters a little. I'm flattered he listens to my words and cares about me a little. But what really gets me is the way my name rolls off his tongue emphasized by his gruff deep voice.

"Your words mean so much to me. Sometimes I forget you don't care," I joke. Thorin doesn't reply and spins me into a soft dip.

"I assure you I do care a great deal," Thorin promises his face close to mine.

"Then why don't your actions reflect that?"

I get no response

~~~

Jacob

~~~

Dancing with Bilbo and Sam had been the most fun I've ever had. Sam really knows how to laugh and have fun while Bilbo is more reserved but he still knows how to party. They're both quite contradicting people yet the fit so seamlessly and they make a place for me with ease.

It's acceptance and it feels..nice. I'm going to enjoy it cautiously.

Not to mention they both have lips that are so kissable.

~~~

Sam

~~~

I'm shaken awake by Lacy. Blinking I sit up to find I'm tangled with Jacob and Bilbo. Jacob and I have appeared to sandwich the cozy hobbit in the night. I'm not sure wen the agreement to share a rooms was made but I can't say I mind.

"This was the cutest thing I've ever stumbled upon and I hate the fact I have to ruin it but it's time to take our leave," Lacy murmurs.

"Yep thanks Lace" I reply sleepily and reach over to pat Bilbo's face till he blinks then reach further to hit Jacob's arm till he chokes awake.

"What?" Bilbo and Jacob mutter slowly blinking to realization.

"Time to go," I say. Lacey makes her exit shortly after that.

I get up quickly changing in the bathroom and gathering my things and the horrid axe the master provided me with. It's so tiny and made with the shittiest metals. I have to make it work though.

When I exit the bathroom, pulled together and ready for anything, Bilbo and Jacob are just rolling out of bed.

"Get up you two!" I yell and clap loudly. Bilbo jumps instantly and Jacob scrambles to his feet so fast he bumps his head. I can't help but think they're quite adorable.

"Up we are up!" they exclaim defensively.

"Get dressed, clean yourselves and pick up the weapons the master gave us. Except you Jacob you lucky boy still have your nice elvish made personalized scimitars," I order softening at the end. I really miss my axe.

"Yes ma'am," they chime and trudge past me to the bathroom. Sighing I take a deep breath and step out of the room towards the kitchen where the dwarves are no doubt hungover and stuffing themselves.

Arriving at the kitchen I see my prediction is correct. Thorin is his usual cheery self but he does seem to be less annoyed. Maybe it's Allie forcing him to hold her hand on the table. She seems happier now then she did before last night. Her hope was gone, all of ours was.

"Good morning Sam," Emily greets, half smiling. She sits next to a groaning Alex and whimpering Kili. I do not think they'll be able to come on the next leg. We have to reach the mountain before nightfall and they can barely even walk.

"Not so good for them," I observe solemnly and grab an apple to eat.

"No, but hope remains while their hearts still beat," Fili responds convincingly with a faltered smile. He sounds more likes he's trying to persuade himself to believe.

"Food," Jacob whines stumbling in and reaching with grabby hands towards me. I hand him a pear, some granola, and nudge him into a chair. Bilbo follows minutes later and I do the same.

Breakfast passes in an awkward silence before the master stomps in.

"Shall you make your exit and be on your way to bring fortune back to us!" he cheerfully invites. Thorin stands in an instant.

"Yes we shall do you have a boat with supplies prepared?" he inquires.

"Yes we do come along," the master answers firmly. Thorin nods to us and we all stand gathering our shitty human weapons and meager belongings. Allie looks longing for the weight of her katana but carries the human dagger much better. I do my duty and lift Alex to her feet shouldering her weight.

The company steps out of the house and loud music starts to play while people surround us forming a perfect path.

Thorin holds his head high and we stride through this busted town with pride.

"You do know we're one short? Where's Bofur?" Bilbo asks aloud when we near the dock.

"If he's not here, we leave him behind," Thorin decides harshly.

"We'll have to, if we're to find the door before nightfall. We can risk no more delays," Balin explains.

"Seems harsh but I can see reason I'm your choice this time Thorin," Allie comments. Thorin looks rather taken back by her response but doesn't say a word. He probably doesn't want to risk her taking it back.

Our stride takes us right up to the dock and one by one we step into a large boat filled with supplies and extra weapons. When I go to step in Thorin stops me and Kili who is next to me.

"Not you two. We must travel at speed, you will slow us down" Thorin demands and Kili look absolutely crushed.

"What are you talking about? I'm coming with you"

"Thorin don't be ridiculous," Allie hisses.

"No, no," Thorin repeats plainly.

"I'm going to be there when that door's opened. When we first look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin.." Kili trails off with a pleading look. I stand by saying nothing and holding Alex up. I don't know what I could say. Bilbo stands behind me and Jacob behind him. They both seem hesitant around Thorin.

"Kili, stay here. Rest. Join us when you're healed," Thorin insists and reaches to hold Kili's shoulder. Thorin is smiling and has a pleasing look in his eye. He really wants his nephew safe. Kili nods and backs up. I sit Alex on a barrel next to Kili so he can hold her up before boarding the barge with Jacob and Bilbo.

"I'm sorry Kili," Allie whispers and boards followed by Thorin.

"I'll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded," Oin volunteers and steps off the boat.

"Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us. You cannot take that away from him!" Fili argues angrily.

"Fili," Kili mutters.

"I will carry him if I must!" Fili persists.

"One day you will be King and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf. Not even my own kin," Thorin states with a stony face. Fili looks over to Kili hopelessly. Fili faces Thorin and tries to push past him to get off. Enily grabs his arm and Thorim stops him.

"Fili, don't be a fool. You belong with the company."

"I'll stay too. Tauriel is coming after me I want to meet her," Lacy announces and steps off. No one asks how she knows Tauriel is coming because we know she can probably see it.

"Goodbye take care you guys, if Grace comes tell her I'm fine," Allie says. "Still angry, but fine."

"I belong with my brother. Sorry Em but stay with them," Fili responds to Thorin yanking away and walking to Kili, Oin, and Alex.

Loud trumpets announce the Master as he steps into an elevated platform in the nicest fineries.

"Go now with our good will," the master wishes.

"Wait!" I hear someone yell.

"And may your return bring fortune to all!" The master adds gleeful. I can't help but he glad we're leaving because that guy is a rat. The boat shoves off and we float away waving and smiling as the crowd cheers.

"No!" the same someone yells and I look back to see Bofur standing at the pier. We're to far gone now.

~~~

Lacy

~~~

"Did you miss the boat as well?" Bofur questions looking at us. Suddenly Alex goes completely limp and Kili collapses looking paler than ever.

"Alex? Kili!"